The True Measure of a Man is the Integrity of His Heart.
In the world, man is measured by his/her success. It’s a compilation of their accomplishments of an aim or purpose. Whether it’s a business venture, degrees in education, maintaining one marriage, number of children, climbing the corporate ladder, or political gain just to name a few. It’s whatever is of value or importance to the individual and what they’re trying to attain in life.
But the God doesn’t measure man by the world’s standard. In a biblical context, integrity refers to a combination of honesty, strong moral principles, and adhering to God’s word. It’s often associated with righteousness, uprightness, and blamelessness, indicating a person’s inner and outer alignment with God’s character.
In a nutshell it’s doing what is right in every situation even to your own hurt. The integrity of the upright will guide them, but the perversity of the unfaithful will destroy them. (Proverbs 11:3)
Generational blessings come as a result of man’s integrity. Proverbs 20:7 says that the righteous man walks in his integrity; his children are blessed after him. Abraham walked in integrity and every generation that are partakers of his covenant with God are blessed.
7 Money can’t buy integrity. Moreover, it tends to buy arrogance and pride. Better is the poor who walks in his integrity than one perverse in his ways, though he be rich. (Proverbs 28:6)
Integrity can be a source of strength. It’s a life characterized by honesty, consistency and a commitment to moral principles and values. It’s about aligning one’s actions, words and beliefs with
God’s standards, even when no one is watching. Integrity also encompasses the idea of wholeness, where there’s no discrepancy between a person’s public and private life.
Integrity means living consistently with ones stated values and beliefs both public and private. It is being morally upright in principles and values. Integrity reflects God’s character. Christians are called to reflect His character in their own life. Integrity doesn’t mean being perfect but striving to live consistently with God’s character in their life.
Men of Integrity in Scripture
Jesus exemplified integrity by consistently living according to God’s will, even in the face of opposition. In the Garden of Gethsemane – He chose God’s will. He always sought the Father’s will and did what was right at all times even knowing He would be mocked, ridiculed and eventually crucified.
Abraham – Integrity was demonstrated by his willingness to obey God’s commands. Offered up Isaac as sacrifice. (Genesis 22:1-19) Rescued Lot from enemy’s camp. (Genesis 14:1-17)
Job – God gives Satan permission to test Job. The Creator of the universe decrees that Job is a man of integrity. And Satan gave him everything he had but Job remained steadfast in the Lord. He continued walking in integrity despite the pain he suffered, and his foreboding friends’ insensitive remarks.
Then the LORD said to Satan, “Have you considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil? And still he holds fast to his integrity, although you incited Me against him, to destroy him without cause.” (Job 2:3)
And they say opposites attract? Look at the lack of integrity of Job’s wife. Then his wife said to him, “Do you still hold fast to your integrity? Curse God and die!” (Job 2:9) Perhaps she was sensitive to her husband’s suffering, but she lacked understanding the heart of God. Job was willing to endure it; he understood the goodness and severity of God. But he said to her, “You speak as one of the foolish women speaks. Shall we indeed accept good from God, and shall we not accept adversity?” In all this Job did not sin with his lips. I think Job was way ahead of Paul (Romans 11:22)
So, what is God looking for? The true measure of a man is the integrity of his heart. He’s looking for people with a nature like His Son. They continue to walk upright in Christ no matter the test or trial. They do what is right holding fast to the cross and trust the Lord with all their heart.